Description
A classic Italian-American dish that combines pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ziti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the ziti pasta and cook until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet, add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned.
- Drain any excess fat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and mix everything together, simmering for about 5 minutes.
- Combine the cooked ziti, meat and sauce mixture, and ricotta cheese in a large bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, half of the mozzarella cheese, and repeat.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Serve with a fresh green salad and garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Baked Ziti, Italian, Pasta, Comfort Food